Forest Products Industry

VicForests has successfully achieved re-certification to the Australian Forestry Standard. The Australian Forest Certification Scheme is recognised internationally by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Scheme (PEFC) – the world’s largest forest certification organisation.

The 2010 ATTA/ForestWorks/FIAPS workshop will be held in Hobart from 26-29 July. Like last year, the workshop program for 2010 has been combined with the ForestWorks and FIAPS annual conference so attendees will be able to get the most out of their time away from normal work schedules.

Australian agriculture needs to adapt now to climate change, according to a CSIRO book Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Preparing Australian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for the Future.

Biosecurity officers at Auckland International Airport won’t need to clean any dirty shoes belonging to a select group of international scientists arriving next week for the 5th International Phytophthora working party meeting.

Following the success of the inaugural event in 2009, the second National Carpenters Day promises to reach an even wider audience with new activities and participants.

The construction and operation of buildings is one of the single biggest contributors of emissions influencing global climate change according to an OECD report, which is currently leading to governments worldwide introducing regulations to reduce carbon emissions by buildings.

The Australian Forest Contractors Association is recognising the pioneers and legends of the timber industry through the creation of the “AFCA Contractors Hall of Fame”.

A reminder to get your entries in as soon as possible for the Timber Trade Cup golf day at Muirfield Golf club, being held to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

AbitibiBowater is planning to indefinitely idle one of the two paper machines at its Thorold South facility in Ontario.

100 people will be laid off. The machine will be idled on April 12.

The decision was based on the decline in the North American newsprint market.

AbitibiBowater said it has also been affected by high prices for old newspapers and magazines that it recycles for paper.

At this time, the plant is undergoing a temporary shutdown that will continue until March 15th. Both paper machines will then run for 2 additional weeks, until April 12.

Source:
AbitibiBowater to lay off 100 workers in Thorold (The Standard)

Posted by ForestTalk.com

KINGSEY FALLS, QC, March 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Cascades Inc. ("Cascades") announces that the Toronto Stock Exchange accepted its notice of intention to begin a normal course issuer bid in respect of its Common Shares. Purchases pursuant to the normal course issuer bid will commence on March 15, 2010 and

New Jonh Deere 648 skidder is to be supplied to JSC Svetlozersk harvesting company (Arkhangelsk region) in the middle of March.

I am reporting from RISI's Pulp and Paper Outlook Conference in Amsterdam which is going down a storm with the attendees. The conference, RISI's biggest ever European event in terms of attendance, yesterday had high profile industry figures speaking, including Jouko Karvinen, CEO of Stora Enso who gave the keynote and Berry Wiersum, CEO of SAPPI Fine Paper Europe. The theme of the first day was: "From Green Energy to the Electronic Media - How Will the Paper Industry Triumph.

Sometimes, fear is an appropriate response. Pulp buyers should be in fear right now. Pulp supply in the U.S. south has been slowed dramatically due to wet weather conditions. Now, we hear that eastern Canada also has weather problems (with warmer and wetter weather than usual) that will significant

(TSX-V: MPE) Last Close: March 10, 2010 - $0.165 Shares Issued: 62,186,627

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ TORONTO, March 10, 2010 /CNW/ - Norbord Inc. (the "Corporation") (TSX:

RICHMOND, BC, March 10 /CNW/ - Catalyst Paper Corporation (TSX:CTL) today announced the closing of the private exchange offer and consent solicitation (as amended and supplemented, the "Exchange Offer") of Catalyst's 11% Senior Secured Notes due December 15, 2016 (the "New Notes") for its outstanding 8

United Steelworkers (USW) members employed by Canfor in 15 operations in the BC northern and southern interior regions have ratified a four-year collective agreement, retroactive to June 30, 2009.

Members in USW Locals 1-424, 1-427 and 1-405 voted in majority favour of the agreement that was reached on February 22, 2010.

The agreement provides union members with an unprecedented expansion of seniority retention and improved severance in the event of a partial or permanent plant closure.

The union's BC Interior Bargaining Committee will utilize the Canfor agreement to be a basic pattern agreement for negotiations with West Fraser and employer associations CONIFER (the Council on Northern Interior Forest Labour Relations) and the IFLRA (Interior Forest Labour Relations Association, which represent employers in the northern and southern interiors, respectively.

The Canfor-USW agreement provides wage increases of 2% in years 3 and 4, protects the members' Long Term Disability Plan and includes strong health and safety language. Improved life insurance and medical travel coverage are also part of the settlement as well as assistance for apprentices.

The agreement also includes an innovative employee investment model linked to a direct payback schedule and potential profit sharing.

The USW, Canada's largest industrial union, represents about 11,000 forest workers in the BC Interior.

Source: United Steelworkers

Posted by ForestTalk.com

Catalyst Paper has announced that it resubmitted a proposal to the union that could allow for the restart of the Elk Falls paper mill at a labour cost, all in, of approximately $40 per hour.

This reflects current market realities and includes changes to wages and benefits similar to those already implemented with management and staff employees. The company also indicated that, to date, 63% of eligible hourly workers at the Elk Falls operation have elected the severance option arising from indefinite curtailment of the mill since February 2009.

"With a competitive cost structure, there could be a future for Elk Falls mill and to that end we presented employees with a proposal that could lead to the restart of two specialty paper machines at the mill," said Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer. "Nonetheless, we also recognize that electing to take severance is a personal choice.

"We hope the remaining employees want and will be given the chance to return to work and to continue to live in the community. We appreciate the Campbell River Mayor has shown strong commitment to preserving jobs through an agreement in principle that would address Class 4 property tax sustainability. And, while there are no guarantees that we will be able to overcome fibre supply shortages or acquire the customer orders necessary to restart, we know the outcome for this mill and community if nothing is done," he added.

Hourly employees at Elk Falls are represented by Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) locals 630 and 1123. Approximately 225 hourly workers have taken this option with an average severance payout of $57,000 per employee.

Source: Catalyst Paper

Posted by ForestTalk.com

Softwood lumber prices were up in both North America and Europe in the 4Q, but it was more the result of lower inventory levels and reduced production rather than an increase in demand, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly. The hot market for lumber last year was China, which increased imports by 75% thereby passing Japan as the largest importer in Asia. (more…)